Grandkids Growing So Fast!

Jerry Hit the Road

Jerry left for the valley today. He will be back probably late March. I am so excited for him as he is going to Italy for a week in December. I know he is going to love it!

Michigan Girls' Trip

Cheyrl, Marilyn, and I flew into Traverse City, Michigan on a 5:15 a.m. flight! Rickie took us to a nearby hotel Saturday night, and we shuttled VERY early Sunday morning to the airport.

This was such a memorable trip. We were so blessed to hit Michigan when the fall foliage was absolutely amazing. Early in the week we thought the foliage was great. But with each day and every turn, it just got better and even more amazing!

Some of the daily highlights:

Sunday, Oct. 7
*lighthouse
*Lunch at Traverse City Pie Co. (scrumptious caramel apple pie)
*Tunnel of Trees
*Spent the night in Petoskey

Monday, Oct. 8
*Self-guided tour of Mushroom Houses
*Tour of Castle Farms in Charlevoix
*Meal at Village Pub (yummy coconut shrimp)
*Ferried to Mackinaw Island; this is an incredible island where no motor vehicles are allowed; stayed at Bicycle Street Hotel

Tuesday, Oct. 9
*Carriage tour around the Island
*Tour of Grand Hotel
*I got hit with UTI
*Went back to Mackinaw City by way of "Mighty Mac" bridge

Wednesday, Oct. 10
*lighthouse
*Old Water Tower of Manistique
*House of Ludington Hotel

Thursday, Oct. 11
*Presque Isle Park
*Lakenenland Sculpture Park
*Marquette Lower Iron Ore Dock
*Superior Dome
*Because of extremely high winds, our tour of Picture Rock National Lakeshore was cancelled.
*Tahquamenon Falls

Friday, Oct. 12
*lighthouse
*Whitefish Bay
*Mission Hill Overlook (light snow as we left here)
*Crossed over into Canada for a drive

Saturday, Oct. 13
*Back to Traverse City for flight home
*Ended with another awesome meal at Great Traverse Pie Co. (with more caramel apple pie)

San Diego Trip

Tim, Rick and I flew to San Diego Thursday to see Marci and Donnie. We took the 6:00 am flight out so we arrived in time to go to Old Town for a great breakfast. That evening we went to the beach. Marci had packed snacks, and Donnie cooked hamburgers.

On Friday, we had tickets to the Blue Angels' Airshow at Miramar. Marci had gotten us great seats that included tent seating. The weather was great, and we could come and go from our table seating under the tent to the outside to get closer when the actual flying was occurring. The setup was great and helped Rick not get too tired.

Saturday, Marci had another great day planned! Marci knows her brothers (and me) all too well. We are all real John Wayne fans. First, she and Donnie took us to his gravesite at Pacific View Memorial Park in Newport Beach. No longer unmarked, his grave is now marked by a beautiful plaque. It was a spectacular morning up on that hill overlooking the city and water.

Then we went to see his yacht, the Wild Goose. We hopped out of our vehicle (basically in a no parking area) only to snap a few photos of the outside of it. We were greeted by a nice man and ended up getting a tour of the yacht. WHAT?! Our own little private tour! We were totally amazed that we got to do this. The yacht was like a time capsule of where much of John Wayne 's social life occurred. Although he sold it before he died, it remains in use today for private events.

Sunday, we enjoyed some time at the house and went out to eat at a favorite spot. We flew home yesterday. Marci and Donnie, thank you for a great visit! Until next time.....